March 28, 2024

Maroon shooters struggle

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DIAGONAL —In front of a packed gym on Homecoming night, the Diagonal boys basketball team could not keep up with visiting Mormon Trail, falling 61-34 Friday.

The Maroons continue to cycle through their bench in ensuring that the whole roster, the youngest in the Bluegrass Conference, sees time on the court in a year where experience is a necessity for the growing squad.

"We’re trying to get our young guys experience," Diagonal coach Matt Warren said. "I thought our young guys played well. They played hard. That was good to see.”

Kole Paxson scored 12 points to lead the way for the Maroons.

The Maroons struggled shooting from the floor for much of the night. Kade Klommhaus was the next leading scorer for Diagonal with six points and no other Maroon had more four.

"I don’t want to tell them not to shoot, but one pass: 3-pointer, one pass 3-pointer, is not what we’re looking for," Warren said. "I want to be aggressive driving to the hoop and if the drive isn’t there to kick out then the three. I think that’ll come with experience. Just trying to get more of an aggressive mentality with the young guys.”

The Maroons fell behind 17-4 early, an 11-0 Mormon Trail run, keyed by Parker Hitt, put the game out of reach early. Hitt finished with 19 points.

UP NEXT — Diagonal (1-10) will host Lamoni (8-4) Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

MT (61) — Scoring — Parker Hitt 19, Tanner Wetterling 12, Travis Pollock 7, Kase Hitt 7, Keaton Gwinn 7, Luke Parmer 3, Reece Myers 2, George Shanks 2, Zach Hoffman 2. 3-point goals — 3 (Parker Hitt 2, Kase Hitt 1). Team fouls — 19. Fouled out — None.

Diag (34) — Scoring — Kole Paxson 12, Kade Klommhaus 6, Cole Mobley 3, Tyler Jarred 2, Brevin Deskin 4, Blake Alden 2, Clayton Hansen 2, Ty Taylor 3. 3-point goals — 4 (Kole Paxson 2, Ty Taylor 1, Cole Mobley 1). Rebounds —. Assists — . Steals — . Team fouls — 21. Fouled out — None.

MT(61) — 17 19 12 13

Diag (34) — 9 7 6 12